I agree with the post that the Yamaha TX-950 is not great in the sonics department. Any Onkyo Integra (ie, other than the T9090II) sounds better than the TX950. |
I do not have much experience with tuners. I had one in my first Technics "rack" stereo years ago; actually I still have that tuner, my neighbor uses it. I decided a couple of months ago to look into a tuner again, I bought an old Sansui TU-717 to see if I would enjoy using a tuner, which I did. After researching things, I bought the Fanfare FT-1A. Again, I do ot have a lot of knowledge about tuners, but I will give a plug and say I think the Fanfare is a great tuner. |
Well, you all know I want to stay out of this, and never get into discussion groups. But......everything i have read here tonight by all of you holds alot of merit. In looking at the list of tuners mentioned as well as the comments......outstanding opinions guys! My vote for the single best tuner that money can buy ( I don't care for the Etude ) is the MD108. Trying different tubes will satify anyone to the point of making most tuners as exciting as "cold toast". Got to love the 10B and the Sequerra, but for todays tuners and service to go along with all the use I put mine through ( 16+ hours a day)....the MD108 is the KING. Price??? ouch!!! Don't be afraid to ck out the MD102 as an alternative. My top 10 list would have most ALL the tuners you all have mentioned. Accuphase T100, Yamaha CT-7000 get a big salute in solid state analog tuners and with that, I will shut up. Could go on way too long. Nice input you tuner freaks "the tuner guy" |
Don't forget the Sansui Tu-X1,Kenwood kt-917, L-07 and the kt-8300.Luxman made some good tuners. analog tuners are the best! |
To answer Talmadge3's question about the Yamaha TX-950, i think that it is lacking in the sonics department. I am not passing judgement blindly, as i currently have one in my HT system. While it is LOADED with usefull features ( except a remote !!! ), the sound is not up to all the ravings. Treble is somewhat hard sounding with a lack of detail and smoothness. I also don't achieve the soundstage that i get out of other tuners ( Quad, Musical Fidelity, Magnum, etc.. ). I would have to say that compared to many of the other "mid-priced" tuners on the market, it is probably amongst the cream of the crop. It just doesn't stack up against some of the better, though still relatively inexpensive, tuners on the market. For those on a budget, the Quad FM4 and Musical Fidelity tuners are quite excellent as long as you can provide a decent antenna to them. While not the best on sensitivity, both provide very good sonics if the broadcast is up to the task. Sean > |
All of the above are great tuners of course.Most listed are mega buck tuners new and used. However I vote for the orginal little NAD 4020A Tuner. At $200.00 new was and still is an unbelieveable good tuner. I bought one for my son in 1985,and to this day performs flawlessly. Now hooked up to an outside antenna,the performance is even more remarkable. Just proves the point do not have to spend megabucks for superb equipment. Just my opinion. Tuner in my system is the Sumo Charlie. Cost a lot more than the NAD,but other than that the NAD and SUMO areon equal footing. |
I'm totally thrilled with the Fanfare FT-1A! I wanted a great analog tuner with digital ease of use; this is it. |
I hate to get into this because I could write a book, I have had over 75 top tuners, most of all these talked about and MANY more. I use SE 2A3 tube amps and am a very fussy audiophile for over 25 years. No real simple answers here but here goes. 10B is the best sounding, MR 67 is also excellent sounding if it is tuned up. Next is analog, Accuphase 100 and 101 are great. Value digital are the Yamaha 1000U and T-85. Best at getting weak stations is the Pioneer F-93. All of these are my opinion based on 25 years of trial. |
Hi, I was in the audio business years ago..and had the chance to own several of the oldies from Yamaha 7000, T-1, T-2 etc, and Mac's and others. A properly set up Magnum Dynalab MD-108 is not only the best sounding tuner ever made, it is also better sounding than most other source products out there. The MD-102 is very good, the Etude is dated, the Fanfare is super......and an unknown gem is the Classe T-1......there are others...and money is always a factor....but this is a great Chat topic...A great tuner is by far the best way to learn of new music....and re-issues that you may want to ad to your collection....and there is no tape machine or multi-cd changer..that can provide the endless hours.....of course you need stations, (be they classic, jazz or pop) in your area that are worth listening to. |
i had a tandberg 3011a - it dint hold a candle to my onix bwd-1 w/soap power supply, or my revox b-261, either in reception *or* sound-quality. it was about on par w/my adcom gft-1a (adcom's best tuner, imho). now, the tandberg 3001 - *that's* a tuner! also, the top tuners by linn & naim are excellent-sounding tuners. don't forget the day-sequerra tuner. |
|
I'd like to hear about what folks think of the last higher quality tuner from Yamaha, the TX-950. Also, what about Fanfare? Thanks. |
FOR THE MONEY YOU CANT BEAT A TANDBERG 3011A THIS IS A GREAT TUNER. IT PICKS UP STATIONS THAT I COULD NEVER RECIVE WITH OTHER TUNERS.JUST MY OPINION. |
Let me add my 2cents for "affordable" tuners (less than $1000 retail -> less than $500 on used market. Check out Sony's latest offering STS-SA50ES (superb on classical stations!), very open and transparent. #2 JVC FX1010Tn or FX1100(Bk). Overall very good irrespective of station/music. #3 Denon TU-800. Superb selectivity but AM section not as good. #4 Nakamichi ST-7. Very musical though specs are not as good as others. However, this is one case where specs can be safely ignored. I picked up a used piece for $300 and am enjoying it a lot. Have never listened to the Onkyo so that accounts for its absence. |
Yamaha T-2 Nice also. Also Onkyo 9090II mentioned. Super expensive even though fairly old is the Marantz 10B. |
Mac MR78; timeless. Accuphase T100; musical. Onkyo T9090MkII; best performance/value tradeoff. Magnum MD108; best ever, price no object. For the record, I currently own the Magnum MD102, have owned other Magnums in the past, owned several Onkyos, had a terrific Kenwood late 70s tuner (forget the model # now), I'm always on the lookout for another vintage Accuphase. Macs are great but too overpriced in the current market, particularly eBay which is obscene. Just my opinion... |
